New PS3 Model Due, Consumes Less Power

It appears Sony has a new line of Playstation 3 models in the works and primed for release. We're not talking a revision akin to the Slim, more a polishing of the internal parts and performance. The new model is set to be lighter, consume less power and feature a mammoth 320GB hard-drive to boot.

Codenamed CECH-3000B, the new PS3 demands much less power, requiring only 200 watts, which is sure to delight eco-friendly gamers. It's lighter, too, clocking in at 2.6kg, despite that whopping 320GB hard-drive. The CECH-3000B is set to release in Japan later this month, retailing at a price of ¥34,980, which is about £269.

Furthermore, Namco Bandai have announced a special Tales of Xillia X Edition PS3 bundle, featuring the new CECH-3000B model, albeit with an 160GB hard-drive instead. So far, we've yet to hear any news that Sony is prepping a standalone 160GB model of the new PS3, but I wouldn't be surprised if such an announcement pops up in the near future. [Andriasang]

Fail0verflow, one of the original groups behind the PS3 hack, famously stated that "The only way to fix this is to issue new hardware. Sony will have to accept this." It looks like Sony agrees.

I would assume that this new model has been built from the ground up to be much more difficult to homebrew/hack. Hardware configuration will probably be subtly different, as well as completely rebuilt encryption and firmware. And, hey, it's the perfect excuse to make a few quid on a new SKU.